A dramatic turn of events unfolded in the Rajya Sabha on Friday when a wad of cash was discovered on a seat assigned to Congress MP and Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The incident has raised eyebrows, sparked a political debate, and prompted a formal investigation by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.
Singhvi, expressing astonishment over the incident, clarified his brief presence in the house on the day in question. “I am quite astonished to even hear about it. I never heard of it. I reached the inside of the House yesterday at 12.57 pm. The House rose at 1 pm. From 1 to 1:30 pm, I sat with Ayodhya Prasad in the canteen and had lunch. At 1:30 pm, I left Parliament. So my total stay in the House yesterday was 3 minutes and my stay in the canteen was 30 minutes. I find it bizarre that even on such issues politics is raised,” Singhvi stated.
Welcoming the investigation ordered by Chairman Dhankhar, Singhvi emphasised the need for accountability and security reforms in Parliament. “Of course, there must be an inquiry as to how people can come and put anything anywhere in any seat. It means that each of us must have a seat where the seat itself can be locked and the key can be carried home by the MP because everybody can then do things on the seat and make allegations about this. If it was not tragic and serious it would be comical. I think everybody should cooperate in getting to the bottom of this and if there is a failing in the security agencies that must also be completely exposed,” he added.
Chairman Dhankhar provided details of the discovery earlier in the day. “I hereby inform the members that during the routine anti-sabotage check of the chamber after the adjournment of the House yesterday, a wad of currency notes was recovered by the security officials from seat number 222, which is presently allotted to Abhishek Manu Singhvi, elected from the state of Telangana. The matter was brought to my notice, and I made sure an investigation takes place and the same is underway,” Dhankhar said.
Inside the house, Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the decision to name Singhvi publicly while the investigation was ongoing. “I am not going beyond that, I know that you will not allow us. You said that this matter is under investigation, then his/her name should not have been taken. I request that until the investigation is done and the authenticity of the incident is established, a member should not be named. Can he do like this? Aaisa chillar kaam krti hai aur desh ko barbaad kr rahe hai yeh log (BJP),” Kharge remarked.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju added his perspective, stating, “No one carries note bundles in the house.”
The incident has added to the disruptions in Parliament, with the winter session, which began on November 25, already witnessing early adjournments. The session is set to continue until December 20, with members eagerly awaiting the findings of the ongoing investigation.
The discovery has underscored concerns about parliamentary security and decorum, leaving many questions unanswered about how the cash ended up on Singhvi’s seat.
